The two videos I chose to discuss were Uncertainty: Modernity and Art, and Andy Warhol: Images of an Image. I chose each because first I wanted to understand what was behind the uncertainty in modern art, and the ties to Nazism, and I chose the Warhol one because I absolutely love him, and want to know everything I possibly can, new or old information about him.
The first video discussed the fact that modern art tells us that there is no single code for living, that the burning issue for us is uncertainty. Subtle bits of obscurity have been made glamorous, and Hitler himself believed this. The early 20th century is when modern art really started to take place, and when reality is completely transformed. Modern art is based on speed, efficiency, and mass-production, just like any material object of its time. We live in uncertainty because we're just parts in a system that is mostly mysterious to us. During the Nazi movement, Hitler himself said that modern art is a refusal to show things as they really are, and was a display of weakness because it shows uncertainty. Whether uncertainty shows weakness or not, it still has been justified as being a large part of what's behind modern art.
The second video about Andy Warhol discussed the methods of silkscreening. He would select and crop photographs of his choice, found in the media because they were popular, and reproduce them. Mainly his subjects were famous actresses, some being Marilyn Monroe, and Elizabeth Taylor. Warhol was very interested in the lives of the famous women, and used that interest with another- one that included making a lot of money with his method of quick mass-production. He would destroy the original photograph by rendering it and making them even more superficial. His works now show viewers that they are mere images, or even images of images, and simply a consumer product in the end.
The films relate to the text because they focus on topics like art movements, and the effects of them on artwork of the time. Consumerism, industrialism, and mass production effected both artwork and cities. This related both the text and the videos because each discussed how the movements of the time effected people and art. I absolutely loved the film about Warhol, and was completely in tune the entire time. I feel like I learned a lot more about the fact that art work can end up being a consumer product, and lose it's meaning. I never considered this before, but by studying Warhol, I realized that he realized the link of art work and consumerism, and manipulated it because he knew exactly what people wanted and the way to work them.
Friday, July 29, 2011
The Modern World Video Reviews week 9
I chose the videos Dance as the Moulin de la Galette, and A Sunday on la Grande Jatte, 1884 because sadly enough, I did not recognize the names of these paintings, and I wanted to be able to know more about them, and remember them for the famous works that they were. Once I saw the second painting featured in the second video I did recognize it, but it was interesting to hear more information that I already knew about both.
The first video discussed the artist Renoir, and how he painted Moulin de la Galette not once, but twice, only changing the size! No one knows exactly which one came first, but he painted a place that people would know well and recognize. He used the same women models as he did in his other paintings. Industrialization wiped out most of what Renoir depicted in his paintings, which made his vision romanticized, because he wanted to see everything as beautiful. Anything he painted was romanticized in fact, and was turned into a wonderful fantasy. Ryoei Saito was a collector bought the smaller version and kept it in a vault for many years, saying he wanted it to be cremated with it. Luckily the painting was seized, and is now in a private location.
The next video described and focused on Georges Seurat and his painting, A Sunday on la Grande Jatte. Being a very discreet and reserved man, these characteristics rubbed off on his artwork. It had a very mysterious aspect to it, and there are and were many questions as to who the featured figures were, and why they were depicted in the actions they were in. In Seurat's day, prostitutes often hung out at the riverbank, in the exact location where he painted Jatte. People wonder if the famous lady fishing is a prostitute. Also, the monkey in the painting was proven to be painted later, more towards the completion of it in fact. He was influenced by Classical art and it is apparent in his famous painting with the pointillist technique and color theory. His career as an artist lasted a mere 10 years before he died.
Both of these videos relate to the text because they further emphasize the influence of art movements on artwork. I liked both films, and thought the new information I learned from each was very interesting. I couldn't believe that Renoir made two different copies of the same painting! The videos related to the art concepts because they discussed their histories, and showed the connection to the art movements of the times.
The first video discussed the artist Renoir, and how he painted Moulin de la Galette not once, but twice, only changing the size! No one knows exactly which one came first, but he painted a place that people would know well and recognize. He used the same women models as he did in his other paintings. Industrialization wiped out most of what Renoir depicted in his paintings, which made his vision romanticized, because he wanted to see everything as beautiful. Anything he painted was romanticized in fact, and was turned into a wonderful fantasy. Ryoei Saito was a collector bought the smaller version and kept it in a vault for many years, saying he wanted it to be cremated with it. Luckily the painting was seized, and is now in a private location.
The next video described and focused on Georges Seurat and his painting, A Sunday on la Grande Jatte. Being a very discreet and reserved man, these characteristics rubbed off on his artwork. It had a very mysterious aspect to it, and there are and were many questions as to who the featured figures were, and why they were depicted in the actions they were in. In Seurat's day, prostitutes often hung out at the riverbank, in the exact location where he painted Jatte. People wonder if the famous lady fishing is a prostitute. Also, the monkey in the painting was proven to be painted later, more towards the completion of it in fact. He was influenced by Classical art and it is apparent in his famous painting with the pointillist technique and color theory. His career as an artist lasted a mere 10 years before he died.
Both of these videos relate to the text because they further emphasize the influence of art movements on artwork. I liked both films, and thought the new information I learned from each was very interesting. I couldn't believe that Renoir made two different copies of the same painting! The videos related to the art concepts because they discussed their histories, and showed the connection to the art movements of the times.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
mask blog
http://www.masksoftheworld.com/SoAmerica/Peru%20Mask%20Rabbit.htm
http://www.masksoftheworld.com/SoAmerica/Diablo%20Umo%20Mask.htm
I found three inspiration images of masks, that I chose to analyze and describe.
I uploaded these three images because each one was well defined with either color, line or shape. They each displayed these qualities and more. They are eye catching and attractive to me, especially since they don't just have a regular human face displayed. A couple of them are animals and one of them is unknown.
The first mask looks like a wind chime, with it's straw on the bottom, dangling. There are eye holes, and what looks like a belly button or something, and the mask would cover the entire face and back of the head. It kind of reminds me of a scarecrow actually. It contains elements and principles such as shape, line, value, and pattern. The wooden part of the mask has lots of rectangle, square and crisscross shapes. The line in the design are very precise and dark, outlining all the shapes. Since the colors are mainly black and uncolored wood, value is apparent. The shapes make up the pattern on the piece.
The next mask is obviously a rabbit, but a very ugly one at that. It has a large nose, marble (glass) eyes, and ugly teeth. I am reminded of a childhood story book that has a very similar character (brer rabbit I believe). The mask is tin, and is cut out to outline the shape of a rabbit's face. It is painted with a small collection of colors, and the elements and principles that define it are color, line and emphasis. Emphasis is apparent because certain features on the face are more emphasized such as the very large nose against the small eyes and large face. Color is used because of the small collection, but interesting use. Half the face is one color, while the other is another, and the features like the eyes nose and mouth are completely different colors than the rest of the face. Line is used because outline is very strong on the entire face, and is used thoroughly. The third mask looks as though its hair is sticking straight up. The hair is all different colors, and it also seems as though there is a ring through the nose. It reminds me of a character getting electrocuted. It is made out of colored fabrics, and contains the elements and principles of color, line, shape, and value. There are five main colors used-red, black, green, blue, and yellow and they all balance out as well as unifying together. Value is created with the dark colors against the lighter ones, as there is a shadow on the face. There is a large square on the middle of the face which is why I've included shape. And line is used because of the defined hair.
In my own sketches and final mask I used Line, Color, shape, and pattern. Line is used as I have created horizontal lines going across the face. They differ in color, but that also creates a pattern, as I interchange the red, blue, and yellow acrylic paint to make a repeating pattern. I have used color in my mask by using three primaries. They balance each other out because I have a very dark color against two warmer ones. I only used those three colors in the entire mask, but preferred to stick with a smaller number to keep it simple. Shape was considered in my design because the nose (which is 3-D) relates to the eye holes, which are all triangular.
I like my final mask. I don't think I will display is or wear it however because it just seems like something for fun. I like that I only used three colors, and I like how I made use of the elements and principles. I don't feel like there is much meaning behind it though. I like the nose, not only because it relates to the shape of the eyes, but because it is 3-D. I had fun overall creating the mask, and it seems like a project I could use in the future in a classroom.
Friday, July 22, 2011
week 8 video response
I selected each of the four videos because the first two concerned African art, and I have been interested in it since my room mate gave me a textbook all about African art and culture. So I definitely wanted to explore more of the information I was originally interested in. I chose to watch the Hinduism and Buddhism videos because for some reason, after many history classes, I still always manage to confuse the two somehow.
Some key concepts from African Art: Legacy of Oppression were that there is a huge range in African art styles, and African art that is most effective in the West is abstract, startling, and exaggerated. Artists of Central African glorified the "motherness" of their own mothers, and the "chiefness" of their chiefs. Artists also gave a granger to everyday objects such as combs, wooden cups, and beds, and overly decorated them. The most common art objects of all were masks. Rubber was in demand in central Africa because of the invention of bicycle tires, so Belgium's King Leopold sent his soldiers to get as much as they could. Bullets used for the invasions were very expensive, and were used to kill mutinous workers, and with every life taken, the soldiers had to sever the right hand of the victim off. In many cases, the bullets missed their targets, so the right hands of the living would be severed, as proof of a bullet not wasted in the Kongo/Congo.
In the second African Art video I learned that a strong aesthetic sense is apparent in every day objects and homes and many forms of art were made of wood or straw. With climates such as those that were in Africa, the medium rapidly deteriorated. Ceremonial African art is preserved in dramatic recreations of sound, color, and movement. The oldest existing African art is found in drier regions, like the ones that held the rock art and paintings. Egyptian ideas and cultures influenced Africa. Great Zimbabwe was the focus of a sophisticated political economic system. The site displays a well developed sense of architecture. African art was relatively unknown to the Europeans until the 19th century. Pablo Picasso was the modernist artist who was influenced by African art. The key to understanding African art lies in two basic approaches of artistic expression- the perceptual and the conceptual.
Some key concepts from African Art: Legacy of Oppression were that there is a huge range in African art styles, and African art that is most effective in the West is abstract, startling, and exaggerated. Artists of Central African glorified the "motherness" of their own mothers, and the "chiefness" of their chiefs. Artists also gave a granger to everyday objects such as combs, wooden cups, and beds, and overly decorated them. The most common art objects of all were masks. Rubber was in demand in central Africa because of the invention of bicycle tires, so Belgium's King Leopold sent his soldiers to get as much as they could. Bullets used for the invasions were very expensive, and were used to kill mutinous workers, and with every life taken, the soldiers had to sever the right hand of the victim off. In many cases, the bullets missed their targets, so the right hands of the living would be severed, as proof of a bullet not wasted in the Kongo/Congo.
In the second African Art video I learned that a strong aesthetic sense is apparent in every day objects and homes and many forms of art were made of wood or straw. With climates such as those that were in Africa, the medium rapidly deteriorated. Ceremonial African art is preserved in dramatic recreations of sound, color, and movement. The oldest existing African art is found in drier regions, like the ones that held the rock art and paintings. Egyptian ideas and cultures influenced Africa. Great Zimbabwe was the focus of a sophisticated political economic system. The site displays a well developed sense of architecture. African art was relatively unknown to the Europeans until the 19th century. Pablo Picasso was the modernist artist who was influenced by African art. The key to understanding African art lies in two basic approaches of artistic expression- the perceptual and the conceptual.
The Buddhism video described that Buddhist teaching is taha, which means the extinguishing of all desires, possessions and all the preoccupations that feed the ego and obstruct enlightenment. With in a hundred years after Buddha’s death, Buddhism split in tow, it also brought flowering to art and architecture. The largest Buddha shrine in the world is called Borobudur, and is located in Indonesia. It took close to 100 years to build, and was later buried by a volcanic eruption. It was standing proof of the spread of Buddhism in Asia. The video described a lot about the religion itself, with commentary on the arts. The focus was mainly on the religion however,
The Hinduism belief was a system of life, death, and rebirth. Hindus invest so much in elaborate decoration in their architecture, to portray their beliefs. The video showed a lot about the funerary practices, and how simple they were. They would “baptize” the bodies in the Ganges River, and cremate them along the river, hoping that their spirit would be freed. Everything in Hinduism is symbolic in some way, and Hindu sculpture typically combines epic and ordinary, and fantastic and familiar, side by side. They began their artistic practices underground, with rock sculpture and cave art. The source of life for all Hindu people is Brahma, and Hinduism teaches that there are many ways to Brahma God, and the many gods are symbols of these ways. Those exact symbols also show bewildering variety of expression in art and architecture.
The videos relate to the text in the fact that they reinforce it through images and further explanation. For example both the videos and the text explain the importance of art in the religious cultures, and shows how the people express their religion through art and architecture.
These videos add depth and understanding because of the deeper discussions of history and descriptions of the different cultures. Instead of just going over the aspect of art, like the text did, the videos described more about the history, which added depth and understanding.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Art Gallery Visit #2
http://www.albrightknox.org/exhibitions/exhibition:07-01-2011-videosphere-a-new-generation/
The title of the exhibit I chose to explore was called "Videosphere", and the theme of it was art in the form of videos, and video clips, and the manipulation of film and special effects. The lighting in the entire upstairs region of the gallery (which is where the entire exhibit was) was in darkness, except for the lights from the videos on the screens and projectors. Most of the walls were white, and the marble in the main room was white, but some of the other rooms were covered in black fabric. Some materials used in the interior architecture of the space were chairs, speakers, soundproofing on the walls, projectors, and flat screen television monitors.
The viewer can move about the exhibition in anyway they please, but when it comes to each piece of artwork (which take up an entire room each), there are arrows that direct where it starts and ends. The viewer is most likely expected to enter each room that is closest to the last one, so they don't skip over any pieces. Each artwork by each different artist was organized by room, as each piece had it's own, and each artwork was similar in that they were all moving images and were all video clips, either projected, or recorded. They were different in that fact that not all of them had sound, or voice or music, only some did. Some were in color, others in black and white. Some where projected onto flat screens, some on the wall, and some on a sculptural form. The pieces were identified and labeled by small, white description cards on a wall near it, listing the title, artist, date, and information about the piece. No two artworks were in the same room, so their proximity from each other was definitely walking distance, as in from room to room it would be at least ten feet.
Peter Sarkisian, an American artist created his piece called Extruded Video Engine #5, in 2007. The media he used was vacuum-formed thermal plastic and video production. In his piece there are recorded voices reading deeply personal memories as the sculpture/video piece itself displays the memories as sentences and words across the plastic. There are projected gears turning, lots of colors and shapes and words moving, and knobs turning. Everything stays in motion, and keeps going over and over agin repeatedly. The room the piece is in is dark, with black walls, and is small. Sarkisian has used elements and principles such as vivid color, value, shapes of all sizes, movement of everything, rhythm in movement and voices, implied texture of the projected objects, line and light. Each of these elements and principles work together in unity, as this system of whatever it is, may it be a digital brain or something else, continues to use each part to work. When observing this piece I am reminded of a working brain, thinking and using energy and creativity. It is almost confusing to look at, but with the clever use of elements and principles, it catches the eye immediately. It's almost mesmerizing with the vivid color and constant, rhythmic motion. There are so many things happening at once, and all senses are in tune to this work of art. I think the artist wanted his viewers to see and hear the portrayal of memories so that they themselves would be influenced to think up their own deep memories. As I looked at the piece, I was reminded of memories, both recent and far back, and I think I achieved what the artist intended after all.
Bill Viola, an American artist completed his piece called The Messenger, in 1996. The media he used were sound and video installations. When I looked at the piece, I saw a nude man floating on the surface of some kind of water source, and I could hear the sound of him breathing in and out. His face seemed to remain expressionless. He slowly started to sink below the surface, and before long, he took a deep breathe and submerged, allowing air to continually blow out as he descended under water. I could see the bubbles rise to the surface and they became less and less. Viola used elements and principles such as movement, value, color, form, texture, rhythm, and light to achieve the seemingly image of a nude man drowning. The water is rhythmic and constant in its ripples, the man is lit in cool deep colors and hues of blue. There is a soft light illuminating him, and the screen he is projected onto is large, almost taking up the entire wall. The entire room is dark, with black walls and is very large, with a tall ceiling. When i see the piece I am reminded of a handful of movies where a victim is drowning, and slowly sinking below the surface. Normally, their expression is panicked, but the man's face is almost serene, calm, and accepting of his "fate". I don't feel terrified for the man, because he is alive for the whole process, and doesn't seem to be struggling. I think the artist may have wanted me to see that no one can struggle with their end, and the best thing to d is just be calm and accept it. I definitely can see that he could've been portraying it in that way, and I understand was he was showing. It makes me calm to see the figure as calm as he is, and I believe that's what the artist intended.
Jaye Rhee is Korean artist who create the piece, Tear, made in 2002. The medium used is a four channel video installation with sound. The video is displayed on four different monitors, lined up next to each other. The figure is filmed tearing through a large piece of white cloth, and as they come to the end of the screen, they appear to enter in the next one, continuing to the end, and starting over. You can see them pushing forward, and all you hear in the background is the loud tearing sound of the cloth. There is a lot of negative space in the piece, as 3 television screens are always showing just the fabric, and the figure only fills one. The artist has used value, space, movement, balance, and emphasis in the piece. Value is created by the use of black and white, the figure is dark, and there is an emphasis on them, while the canvas in contrast is white. Balance is used because the piece is asymmetrical. Space is used in the description mentioned before, and movement is apparent, because the whole piece focuses on the constant movement of the figure, working their way across all four screens. When I see the piece it reminds me of someone walking through deep snow, and using all their effort to trudge through the weight. I feel like I'm not sure what the figure is trying to accomplish, because it's just repetitive movement that always ends up starting from the beginning. The figure gets so far, and it never really leads up to anything, and because of this it was frustrating to watch. I didn't find it very enjoyable. You cannot see the figure's face, only their form. I think the artist intended to show space in their piece, but I'm not sure exactly how. I like the fact that wherever the figure is in the clip, there are always three screens that contain only the cloth. If the artist's intention was merely to show space, or new visual space, I think I understand it.
I enjoyed going to the gallery and looking at the pieces through a different perspective in the sense of the exhibit as a whole, not just one piece at a time. It was interesting to see the exhibit, and how the piece related to each other. I liked that they were separated into individual rooms, it made me focus my attention on each one specifically, without being distracted by the other piece. Having them in individual rooms made me take the time to study them, and let myself get absorbed by them, without rushing off to the next one I saw. I felt isolated as I studied each one, but it was more personal that way, just me and the artwork. I didn't get much from the architecture, but the spaces and theme were very obvious and applied to the pieces well.
The title of the exhibit I chose to explore was called "Videosphere", and the theme of it was art in the form of videos, and video clips, and the manipulation of film and special effects. The lighting in the entire upstairs region of the gallery (which is where the entire exhibit was) was in darkness, except for the lights from the videos on the screens and projectors. Most of the walls were white, and the marble in the main room was white, but some of the other rooms were covered in black fabric. Some materials used in the interior architecture of the space were chairs, speakers, soundproofing on the walls, projectors, and flat screen television monitors.
The viewer can move about the exhibition in anyway they please, but when it comes to each piece of artwork (which take up an entire room each), there are arrows that direct where it starts and ends. The viewer is most likely expected to enter each room that is closest to the last one, so they don't skip over any pieces. Each artwork by each different artist was organized by room, as each piece had it's own, and each artwork was similar in that they were all moving images and were all video clips, either projected, or recorded. They were different in that fact that not all of them had sound, or voice or music, only some did. Some were in color, others in black and white. Some where projected onto flat screens, some on the wall, and some on a sculptural form. The pieces were identified and labeled by small, white description cards on a wall near it, listing the title, artist, date, and information about the piece. No two artworks were in the same room, so their proximity from each other was definitely walking distance, as in from room to room it would be at least ten feet.
Peter Sarkisian, an American artist created his piece called Extruded Video Engine #5, in 2007. The media he used was vacuum-formed thermal plastic and video production. In his piece there are recorded voices reading deeply personal memories as the sculpture/video piece itself displays the memories as sentences and words across the plastic. There are projected gears turning, lots of colors and shapes and words moving, and knobs turning. Everything stays in motion, and keeps going over and over agin repeatedly. The room the piece is in is dark, with black walls, and is small. Sarkisian has used elements and principles such as vivid color, value, shapes of all sizes, movement of everything, rhythm in movement and voices, implied texture of the projected objects, line and light. Each of these elements and principles work together in unity, as this system of whatever it is, may it be a digital brain or something else, continues to use each part to work. When observing this piece I am reminded of a working brain, thinking and using energy and creativity. It is almost confusing to look at, but with the clever use of elements and principles, it catches the eye immediately. It's almost mesmerizing with the vivid color and constant, rhythmic motion. There are so many things happening at once, and all senses are in tune to this work of art. I think the artist wanted his viewers to see and hear the portrayal of memories so that they themselves would be influenced to think up their own deep memories. As I looked at the piece, I was reminded of memories, both recent and far back, and I think I achieved what the artist intended after all.
Bill Viola, an American artist completed his piece called The Messenger, in 1996. The media he used were sound and video installations. When I looked at the piece, I saw a nude man floating on the surface of some kind of water source, and I could hear the sound of him breathing in and out. His face seemed to remain expressionless. He slowly started to sink below the surface, and before long, he took a deep breathe and submerged, allowing air to continually blow out as he descended under water. I could see the bubbles rise to the surface and they became less and less. Viola used elements and principles such as movement, value, color, form, texture, rhythm, and light to achieve the seemingly image of a nude man drowning. The water is rhythmic and constant in its ripples, the man is lit in cool deep colors and hues of blue. There is a soft light illuminating him, and the screen he is projected onto is large, almost taking up the entire wall. The entire room is dark, with black walls and is very large, with a tall ceiling. When i see the piece I am reminded of a handful of movies where a victim is drowning, and slowly sinking below the surface. Normally, their expression is panicked, but the man's face is almost serene, calm, and accepting of his "fate". I don't feel terrified for the man, because he is alive for the whole process, and doesn't seem to be struggling. I think the artist may have wanted me to see that no one can struggle with their end, and the best thing to d is just be calm and accept it. I definitely can see that he could've been portraying it in that way, and I understand was he was showing. It makes me calm to see the figure as calm as he is, and I believe that's what the artist intended.
Jaye Rhee is Korean artist who create the piece, Tear, made in 2002. The medium used is a four channel video installation with sound. The video is displayed on four different monitors, lined up next to each other. The figure is filmed tearing through a large piece of white cloth, and as they come to the end of the screen, they appear to enter in the next one, continuing to the end, and starting over. You can see them pushing forward, and all you hear in the background is the loud tearing sound of the cloth. There is a lot of negative space in the piece, as 3 television screens are always showing just the fabric, and the figure only fills one. The artist has used value, space, movement, balance, and emphasis in the piece. Value is created by the use of black and white, the figure is dark, and there is an emphasis on them, while the canvas in contrast is white. Balance is used because the piece is asymmetrical. Space is used in the description mentioned before, and movement is apparent, because the whole piece focuses on the constant movement of the figure, working their way across all four screens. When I see the piece it reminds me of someone walking through deep snow, and using all their effort to trudge through the weight. I feel like I'm not sure what the figure is trying to accomplish, because it's just repetitive movement that always ends up starting from the beginning. The figure gets so far, and it never really leads up to anything, and because of this it was frustrating to watch. I didn't find it very enjoyable. You cannot see the figure's face, only their form. I think the artist intended to show space in their piece, but I'm not sure exactly how. I like the fact that wherever the figure is in the clip, there are always three screens that contain only the cloth. If the artist's intention was merely to show space, or new visual space, I think I understand it.
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| "The Messenger" |
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| "Extruded Video Engine #5" |
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| "Tear" |
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| (Brochure) |
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Exploring Line (hand drawing) week 7
I liked using my own hand as subject matter for drawing; it is easier for me to see if it looks like my own hand, because I am so used to seeing my hand everyday, so I can pick up on whether it is realistic or not.
My hand as the subject matter was interesting for me because I could control exactly the position I wanted it and held it for the exact amount of time I needed to, being able to go back to the same position I had it at before if I took a break. I felt in control using a part of my own body, especially since it was in clear view.
I chose to use pencil because I start out light, and slowly darken it where it is needed, whereas charcoal is a lot richer in value, and I would probably have to erase a lot more if I did made a mark I didn't like. I feel like I have more control using a pencil, for I make lighter, more sketchy marks.
I did not at all enjoy drawing with my non-dominant hand because it was uncomfortable since I wasn't used to using it at all. I enjoy making my drawings/paintings look as realistic as possible and I felt like using my non-dominant hand held me back from doing so. It took a lot more concentration and effort, and I got impatient frequently, almost giving up because of how ridiculous it looked.
I much preferred working with my dominant hand because I feel like I have control over making my work look very realistic, when that control is gone, and I use something I am fairly foreign to, it frustrates me! It felt strange using my non-dominant hand, and I often had to erase my marks, and everything seemed out of proportion.
To me I think the drawing done my my dominant hand of my non-dominant hand is successful. I believe this because I am confident in it, it looks realistic, and I felt comfortable doing it. Because of the level of uncomfortableness and odd proportions and imperfections of the opposing drawing, I felt it was unsuccessful. This may be close-minded of me, but then again the reason why they feel successful or unsuccessful is because they are very personal to me. If I were looking at another artists work, I might have more tolerance and be more open-minded to whether or not I feel their work is successful.
Unless I was disabled in some way and couldn't use my dominant hand again, I will gladly stick to it for any art work I do. Using my dominant hand makes me feel like I have more control, and therefore will lead to successful works of art. It might be interesting to use this activity in the future for students, but for me as an artist, I don't think I'd like to complete a piece with my non-dominant hand. It would take much more time than a piece done by my dominant hand, I would get more impatient, and it definitely wouldn't look as "perfect".
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| Drawing of non-dominant hand (left) by dominant hand (right) |
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| Drawing of dominant hand by non-dominant hand |
Friday, July 15, 2011
week 7 video blog review
I chose each of the four videos (The Drawings of Michelangelo, Albrecht Durer, The Night Watch, and Velasquez) because I wanted to know more about the drawing style of Michelangelo, I knew that Durer was well known for doing woodcuts, but I wanted to know more about his paintings and prints, I was curious about the reasoning behind The Night Watch and Rembrandt is one of my favorite artists, and lastly because I wanted to know more about the Spanish artist Velasquez.
The Drawings of Michelangelo video showed that they bring viewers closer to Michelangelo himself, by being able to see a more intricate, detailed, and private side of him through his drawings. The drawings showed his original ideas that he continually sued over and over, bring them almost everywhere with him to use as influences in his finished masterpieces. Michelangelo used the self-taught skill of sculpture to make masterpieces such as David. The way he worked and thought was shown through his detailed drawings and sketches. Glimpses of his sketches were shown that are rarely available to the public, and most related to the future finished pieces, such as the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo's preparatory drawings compared to his final masterpieces, and they showed more of his sexuality, love for the human body, master of anatomy, and his techniques and perfectionism.
The Albrecht Durer video clip showed the hint of narcissism in his work, as he was named one of the greatest artists of the Northern Renaissance. He was the first true landscape artist in Europe as well, and was able to capture the moods of landscapes accurately. Venetian art also had an impact on his artwork. Durer had a wonderful gift of portraiture, and was a dedicated craftsman. He focused on the art of perspective, and how it might be attained. Woodcuts were one source of media that he used to offer as an influence to Gothic tradition, by using Italian Renaissance forms.
The Night Watch was a painting completed by Rembrandt, and is the object of pilgrimage to the Dutch. The actual painting has gone through many trials, including being slashed by a knife, being doused with acid, and water. It is a monumental work that suggests movement, uses dramatic light, and much perspective. Rembrandt interpreted the commission for the piece in his own way, and approached it in a Revolutionary way. There is a mysterious young girl in the background of the painting that no one has been able to explain. The Night Watch was disassembled by modern artists who are trying to show that it can be perceived in different ways.
The Velasquez clip was influenced by Italian painters such as Rubens. Velasquez was a court painter for King Phillip IV of Spain, and spent much time documenting him. He was one of the most famous painters of Spain and many of his works took a lifetime to complete, ad he continually started, stopped, and preceded with them. He was also a very educated artist, and an idealist, who used his artwork to capture personalities full of movement and emotion. He had very little interest in color, and used it simply in some paintings. He was known for capturing the truth in his works with a technical expertise.
The videos relate to the readings in that each one focuses on a specific part of the two chapters, and describes it in detail, with historical facts, footage of live artwork, and depth in explanation of artists such as Michelangelo, Durer, Rembrandt, and Velasquez.
The videos also relate because they discuss artists from important art periods like the Italian Renaissance, The Gothic and Middle Ages. By showing the famous works of these artists, it explains the histories behind the artist styles, and the stories and meanings behind the works. The videos helped deepen my understanding by having more knowledge and visual knowledge of the artwork. Hearing and seeing information about the different art styles, techniques, and movements such as the Renaissance period helps me more than just reading about it.
The Drawings of Michelangelo video showed that they bring viewers closer to Michelangelo himself, by being able to see a more intricate, detailed, and private side of him through his drawings. The drawings showed his original ideas that he continually sued over and over, bring them almost everywhere with him to use as influences in his finished masterpieces. Michelangelo used the self-taught skill of sculpture to make masterpieces such as David. The way he worked and thought was shown through his detailed drawings and sketches. Glimpses of his sketches were shown that are rarely available to the public, and most related to the future finished pieces, such as the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo's preparatory drawings compared to his final masterpieces, and they showed more of his sexuality, love for the human body, master of anatomy, and his techniques and perfectionism.
The Albrecht Durer video clip showed the hint of narcissism in his work, as he was named one of the greatest artists of the Northern Renaissance. He was the first true landscape artist in Europe as well, and was able to capture the moods of landscapes accurately. Venetian art also had an impact on his artwork. Durer had a wonderful gift of portraiture, and was a dedicated craftsman. He focused on the art of perspective, and how it might be attained. Woodcuts were one source of media that he used to offer as an influence to Gothic tradition, by using Italian Renaissance forms.
The Night Watch was a painting completed by Rembrandt, and is the object of pilgrimage to the Dutch. The actual painting has gone through many trials, including being slashed by a knife, being doused with acid, and water. It is a monumental work that suggests movement, uses dramatic light, and much perspective. Rembrandt interpreted the commission for the piece in his own way, and approached it in a Revolutionary way. There is a mysterious young girl in the background of the painting that no one has been able to explain. The Night Watch was disassembled by modern artists who are trying to show that it can be perceived in different ways.
The Velasquez clip was influenced by Italian painters such as Rubens. Velasquez was a court painter for King Phillip IV of Spain, and spent much time documenting him. He was one of the most famous painters of Spain and many of his works took a lifetime to complete, ad he continually started, stopped, and preceded with them. He was also a very educated artist, and an idealist, who used his artwork to capture personalities full of movement and emotion. He had very little interest in color, and used it simply in some paintings. He was known for capturing the truth in his works with a technical expertise.
The videos relate to the readings in that each one focuses on a specific part of the two chapters, and describes it in detail, with historical facts, footage of live artwork, and depth in explanation of artists such as Michelangelo, Durer, Rembrandt, and Velasquez.
The videos also relate because they discuss artists from important art periods like the Italian Renaissance, The Gothic and Middle Ages. By showing the famous works of these artists, it explains the histories behind the artist styles, and the stories and meanings behind the works. The videos helped deepen my understanding by having more knowledge and visual knowledge of the artwork. Hearing and seeing information about the different art styles, techniques, and movements such as the Renaissance period helps me more than just reading about it.
Friday, July 8, 2011
video response
I selected the three videos out of the selection because I was interested in learning more about Greek culture and the arts, because I wanted to know more about the production of books and writing in monasteries, and because they were shorter compared to 50 or so minute videos. I videos I chose to watch besides More Human Than Human were, A World Inscribed, A Measure of All Things, and The Greek Awakening. Some key concepts I learned from the first video (More Human Than Human) were, no other image besides the human body dominates our lives so completely. All these images of the body, for whatever use and where ever they appear all share a sense of unrealism. In media and in art the images of the body seem to be unrealistic. Venus figurines in the early ages, were made to represent what mattered most on the body. Certain features were exaggerated more than others. There was a theory that the brain favors exaggeration of certain features more than others. The Egyptian society didn't want their style to change because they wanted to keep a consistency and order in their art. Grid systems were used to keep the order and precision. Images can reflect different aspects of our society, culture, and values.
A World Inscribed described Charlemagne, and how he wanted to learn to read and write. Not many people could read, so monasteries produced the most books. Monks carried handmade books constantly, and each book was copied by hand, and the spread of knowledge was very slow. Monks had the duty to preserve and deliver knowledge because they were literate, unlike others. Books were even thought of to be a pay-off for sin. Within 50 years of its invention, printing presses replaced scribes.
The Measure of All Things talked about and showed Greeks conveying emotion and powerful feelings through stone and sculpture. It discussed how Greeks were obsesses with the human body. Sculptors started a revolution by using realism, with the human body in 3-D. They depicted the soul and inner beauty through sculpture. In reality, all Greek stone and sculpture was painted in bright, vivid colors. Pottery was used to advertise everyday art. Because of the Greeks' obsession with the body, it has come to settle and influence our modern culture today.
The Greek Awakening talked about Greek literature living in our art, philosophy, and politics today. Greeks gave us our sense of history through these ways. They created a sense of thinking and doing. Figures were portrayed as realistic, rather than stylistic. The Greek vision that is told of as the awakening allowed influential sculptures and architecture of Western culture to emerge. The architecture in the video clip explains the relationship between the monuments in Greek times, to classical Greek identity.
The videos each relate to the text because they further emphasize the ideas and themes discussed in the reading. Most of the videos took off from details like the topic of Charlemagne, and went even further with them, describing more parts of history. They relate because they quickly went over the main topics learned in the text, while providing further examples, and imagery to support. I gained a further understanding of the topics because the videos went into further, more interesting detail, along with a lot more images. Not only was the topic of the Greeks' love and constant use of the human body discussed in the book, but many of the videos went over the exact same details as well. I didn't particularly like the videos, I found them very boring, and pretty much repeating the same things.
A World Inscribed described Charlemagne, and how he wanted to learn to read and write. Not many people could read, so monasteries produced the most books. Monks carried handmade books constantly, and each book was copied by hand, and the spread of knowledge was very slow. Monks had the duty to preserve and deliver knowledge because they were literate, unlike others. Books were even thought of to be a pay-off for sin. Within 50 years of its invention, printing presses replaced scribes.
The Measure of All Things talked about and showed Greeks conveying emotion and powerful feelings through stone and sculpture. It discussed how Greeks were obsesses with the human body. Sculptors started a revolution by using realism, with the human body in 3-D. They depicted the soul and inner beauty through sculpture. In reality, all Greek stone and sculpture was painted in bright, vivid colors. Pottery was used to advertise everyday art. Because of the Greeks' obsession with the body, it has come to settle and influence our modern culture today.
The Greek Awakening talked about Greek literature living in our art, philosophy, and politics today. Greeks gave us our sense of history through these ways. They created a sense of thinking and doing. Figures were portrayed as realistic, rather than stylistic. The Greek vision that is told of as the awakening allowed influential sculptures and architecture of Western culture to emerge. The architecture in the video clip explains the relationship between the monuments in Greek times, to classical Greek identity.
The videos each relate to the text because they further emphasize the ideas and themes discussed in the reading. Most of the videos took off from details like the topic of Charlemagne, and went even further with them, describing more parts of history. They relate because they quickly went over the main topics learned in the text, while providing further examples, and imagery to support. I gained a further understanding of the topics because the videos went into further, more interesting detail, along with a lot more images. Not only was the topic of the Greeks' love and constant use of the human body discussed in the book, but many of the videos went over the exact same details as well. I didn't particularly like the videos, I found them very boring, and pretty much repeating the same things.
My response to blogger's responses
project 1 Lauren
http://mcgowalm01.blogspot.com/2011/06/post-1.html
project 2
http://mcgowalm01.blogspot.com/2011/06/art-gallery-1.html?showComment=1310138176228#c8010018506962988014
Project 1 Mike
http://farrelmr01.blogspot.com/2011/06/elements-and-principles-of-design.html?showComment=1310137516173#c469540074054880292
Mike 2
http://farrelmr01.blogspot.com/2011/06/gallery-visit.html?showComment=1310137903901#c5803344675055758205
For each artist's slideshow in project #1, they did a very good job of representing and showing the appropriate element and/or principle in their images. Each image for each artist was creative, and I saw a couple different elements/principles in the images. For example, one image represented line, but it also possessed color. For project #2, there were several of the same images that I chose, as did they. The marvelous sauce was chosen by both of my peers, and I shared images with one peer: Jakob/Big Psycho, Red Yarn, and Nancy Rubins' sculpture. The latter peer chose a couple of the images for the same reason I did, because she wanted to know more about them, and because they made an impression on her. One of my peers chose a bridge to depict line, and cups full of a hot drink to depict space. I thought they were beautiful images and the cups interested me because I love hot drinks, and they reminded me of the restaurant where I work. We swirl an image made of cream in the top of some of our drinks, and the peer had two cups with similar images on top. The bridge that she chose to depict line made me curious as to where it was. It reminded me of a harbor in Maine, and brought back memories as a child. Another peer had an image of a bird's nest in his grill. I love the image not only because it represented line well, but because I love birds, and I thought it was quite precious that a bird had made a home there, because he hadn't grilled in so long!
Reading, and viewing the imagery on my peer's blogs helped me to familiarize with them on a more personal level. I didn't just see a name, and some words by them, I also had a chance to see their artwork, and read their personal responses to them. I don't think this is always possible in a classroom, so having a blog helps to view other's work. This is valuable for learning experiences to any person, child or adult. I really enjoyed seeing what my classmates write about, what they like or dislike, and having the ability to comment on their work. It helps open the doors for constructive criticism, and even inspires me in my own artwork.
After checking the peer comments on my own blog, a responder said they thought my elements and principles were successfully portrayed in my slideshow. I was happy with that, but am still looking for more constructive feedback. I want someone to be honest with me, and criticize me if they'd like!
http://mcgowalm01.blogspot.com/2011/06/post-1.html
project 2
http://mcgowalm01.blogspot.com/2011/06/art-gallery-1.html?showComment=1310138176228#c8010018506962988014
Project 1 Mike
http://farrelmr01.blogspot.com/2011/06/elements-and-principles-of-design.html?showComment=1310137516173#c469540074054880292
Mike 2
http://farrelmr01.blogspot.com/2011/06/gallery-visit.html?showComment=1310137903901#c5803344675055758205
For each artist's slideshow in project #1, they did a very good job of representing and showing the appropriate element and/or principle in their images. Each image for each artist was creative, and I saw a couple different elements/principles in the images. For example, one image represented line, but it also possessed color. For project #2, there were several of the same images that I chose, as did they. The marvelous sauce was chosen by both of my peers, and I shared images with one peer: Jakob/Big Psycho, Red Yarn, and Nancy Rubins' sculpture. The latter peer chose a couple of the images for the same reason I did, because she wanted to know more about them, and because they made an impression on her. One of my peers chose a bridge to depict line, and cups full of a hot drink to depict space. I thought they were beautiful images and the cups interested me because I love hot drinks, and they reminded me of the restaurant where I work. We swirl an image made of cream in the top of some of our drinks, and the peer had two cups with similar images on top. The bridge that she chose to depict line made me curious as to where it was. It reminded me of a harbor in Maine, and brought back memories as a child. Another peer had an image of a bird's nest in his grill. I love the image not only because it represented line well, but because I love birds, and I thought it was quite precious that a bird had made a home there, because he hadn't grilled in so long!
Reading, and viewing the imagery on my peer's blogs helped me to familiarize with them on a more personal level. I didn't just see a name, and some words by them, I also had a chance to see their artwork, and read their personal responses to them. I don't think this is always possible in a classroom, so having a blog helps to view other's work. This is valuable for learning experiences to any person, child or adult. I really enjoyed seeing what my classmates write about, what they like or dislike, and having the ability to comment on their work. It helps open the doors for constructive criticism, and even inspires me in my own artwork.
After checking the peer comments on my own blog, a responder said they thought my elements and principles were successfully portrayed in my slideshow. I was happy with that, but am still looking for more constructive feedback. I want someone to be honest with me, and criticize me if they'd like!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Installation Artwork
I found Yayoi Kusama's Fireflies on the Water installation piece to be the most interesting because the artist used the element of light, and magnified it. Light was used to reflect itself by the mirrors surrounding it, like a never ending room. I like the repetition of the lights and how they seem t continue forever because of the effect of the mirrored room. I feel a connection with that specific piece because it invites you to be enclosed in solitary, and reflect on your own imaginations. The viewer is meant to enjoy, or make of the experience by themselves. I like to be alone when I am really thinking deeply about something. Even the closest person to me cannot be near me or else I can not reflect thoroughly on what I need. The artist made this installation so that the experiencer could do it alone, uninterrupted by outsiders. I'd like to explore the theme of Self, and look into human experience. There are so many experiences we have and feel all the time, but I want to seclude one, and explore it: Comfort.
We are the only ones who allow ourselves to be comfortable, no one else can force that upon us. We can fake the fact that we are comfortable, but we are the only ones that know whether we are comfortable or not. Now what makes us comfortable? that's a whole different area to get in to, but it branches off of human experience. Comfort is something different for everyone, but when someone sees a pillow, generally "comfort" is a describing word. I decided to arrange all different colors, and sizes of pillows in the place I find most comfortable to me. This place happens to be MY bed, which is located in my room, but it could differ according to anyone. The idea behind it is something personal, and comforting. It is my idea of an area of escape and study. My idea is that once people see the pillows, they will think of comfort, and what is comfortable to them. I am creating an installation in this specific site because it is a place that most people have the experience of being in everyday, therefore it it overlooked. Because of this I want to show the importance of the place and items in the place that we normally take for granted. I think creating this will help me reflect on something I take for granted, and help others to as well.
My installation contains different sizes of pillows, different colors, and different patterns. It contains pillows from all areas of the house, and used for different things. Some are for couches, some for heads, some as a seat cover. Each pillow has a different texture, and all are balanced on top of each other, supporting each other. There is not much negative space in between the pillows, but a little but around the entire mass. All the squares and rectangles make up a organic looking mass in their entirety. There is a rhythm created with the different patterns used in contrast with the solid colors. I like the one solid black pillow in the middle, amidst all the other vividly bright colors. This piece just draws me in, and I hope that's the case for others.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Architecture
After viewing "Architecture: The Science of Design", I learned special that data and information on architecture through tests tells architects whether they should plants trees around the base of a skyscraper or tall building, or make the foundation wider. This testing can be used to predict other possible occurrences such as snow accumulation on roof tops, or even the quality of air at higher elevations. Testing can verify the safest predictions for buildings so that they are in appropriate locations according to weather or environment. "Smart apartments", though expensive are used to save energy and cut back costs of living. They are also efficient for people with disabilities and the elderly. Concrete was used as early as Greek and Roman times, and is found in all forms of architecture.
"I.M. Pei and the Mathematics of Architecture" explained that architecture and structure are one discipline, not separate. If architects are not aware of the forces of structure, then designs may not be successful. Geometry is one of the driving forces of design, as well as light, space, and many more elements. What makes a tall building unique is its function, and whether it is able to resist earthquakes, wind, and any kind of weather; they are challenges that require successful solutions. Form can follow structure, and this was Pei's way of geometry. Architecture and sculpture are indeed related, but function stands in the way to prevent architecture from becoming sculpture.
The videos relate to the text in the fact that they go over most of the same ideas the text explained about architecture, and how it relies on the environment whether it's successful or not, and more energy efficient architecture should be encouraged for the sake of cost effectiveness and the safety of our environment. They discussed the same themes relaying to building styles, and popular, yet strong building materials. The one thing the videos and text shared, but the videos were more successful at was making the material more interesting by showing it visually. I am a visual learner, more so than by literature, so seeing every thing in the videos that was discussed in the book was more enticing to me. I liked hearing the stories, histories and details behind the straight facts. I understood architecture more though the way the information was shown. I was able to see (digitally) what a foundation looked like, or what happens to the entire structure of a building when weather wears away at it.
The video I chose out of the four was the one featuring I.M. Pei, and I chose it because I had heard about the architect before, and was interested in his background. I thoroughly ended up enjoying the video, and even found myself laughing at Pei, for I found him delightful. With a constant smile, and those black round eyeglass frames, he made the entire video irresistible. I found it amazing that a man who created such wonders around the world was as humble as he was. He didn't seem too proud or arrogant, but more surprised at himself that he could create such buildings. I can HONESTLY say I truly enjoyed viewing his background, and designs. I especially liked hearing about the building in Boston and the windows blowing out close to when it was finished. Pei seemed to laugh it off as he was telling the story.
"I.M. Pei and the Mathematics of Architecture" explained that architecture and structure are one discipline, not separate. If architects are not aware of the forces of structure, then designs may not be successful. Geometry is one of the driving forces of design, as well as light, space, and many more elements. What makes a tall building unique is its function, and whether it is able to resist earthquakes, wind, and any kind of weather; they are challenges that require successful solutions. Form can follow structure, and this was Pei's way of geometry. Architecture and sculpture are indeed related, but function stands in the way to prevent architecture from becoming sculpture.
The videos relate to the text in the fact that they go over most of the same ideas the text explained about architecture, and how it relies on the environment whether it's successful or not, and more energy efficient architecture should be encouraged for the sake of cost effectiveness and the safety of our environment. They discussed the same themes relaying to building styles, and popular, yet strong building materials. The one thing the videos and text shared, but the videos were more successful at was making the material more interesting by showing it visually. I am a visual learner, more so than by literature, so seeing every thing in the videos that was discussed in the book was more enticing to me. I liked hearing the stories, histories and details behind the straight facts. I understood architecture more though the way the information was shown. I was able to see (digitally) what a foundation looked like, or what happens to the entire structure of a building when weather wears away at it.
The video I chose out of the four was the one featuring I.M. Pei, and I chose it because I had heard about the architect before, and was interested in his background. I thoroughly ended up enjoying the video, and even found myself laughing at Pei, for I found him delightful. With a constant smile, and those black round eyeglass frames, he made the entire video irresistible. I found it amazing that a man who created such wonders around the world was as humble as he was. He didn't seem too proud or arrogant, but more surprised at himself that he could create such buildings. I can HONESTLY say I truly enjoyed viewing his background, and designs. I especially liked hearing about the building in Boston and the windows blowing out close to when it was finished. Pei seemed to laugh it off as he was telling the story.
Sculpture, Ceramics, Installation
From watching "Through the Eyes of the Sculptor" I was able to learn some things. Every stone has its own smell. Restoration artists are rarely asked to sculpt an entire figure, they mostly just work on smaller, separate parts like hands, feet or faces. Sculptors use a plaster mold as a reference, and there are many steps to sculpting and it is very time consuming. Marble is the product of limestone, and every marble sculpture starts out as a block of limestone/marble, and is carved and chipped away so that the final form emerges. The mountains of Carrara have been a main source of marble for over 2,000 years.
The Glass and Ceramics video introduced me to the realization that glass is not a true solid, rather is is a viscus liquid that stiffens when cooled. Oyster shells can help glass from becoming too liquid at high temperatures! To make a glass form, someone gathers a small glob of liquid glass at the end of a solid tube/pole and blows into it so that it balloons up, and is formed and shaped. Glass is continually reheated in the furnace so it can be continually modeled, it also receives a final firing so that it can withstand future high temperatures. Some types of ceramics are known to be even stronger than steel and can withstand very high temperatures. Glass is becoming more prominent in architecture today.
Installation art defines and takes over space, and is achieved according to the effort of individual artists. They are three-dimensional works whose design forces viewers to interact with the environment. Site-specific art is art that cannot work unless it is in its particular place that was meant for it. Video imagery is becoming more popular in the art world with the help of new technologies. It now dominates the art world and the video camera is a tool that makes way for video installations. Installations are known to be successful by attaining a relationship between the images, space, and the viewer, which makes the meaning.
The videos relate to the text because they described in detail some of the crafts explained in the actual text itself. They discussed the nature of installations and gave different perspectives from different artists on what they thought installation art was, and what it meant to them. The text mentioned some crafts such as glass blowing, but the video visually explained it more deeply. It was interesting to see the hard work of craft-makers and artists as they practiced sculpting and glass-making. It was one thing to read it in the book, but to actually see it in action was so much more engaging. It was neat to hear the stories behind the artists and where materials like marble actually came from, and the hardships and sacrifices that went along with everything. Seeing it all take place on camera gave me more of an appreciation for the art, and gave me a better understanding of the science behind it all, the trials, and the successes. I gained more of an understanding just by seeing it all on video. After watching the video (on glass blowing) it made me want to try it myself. Besides the awful quality of the videos and the outdatedness, I'll have to admit I enjoyed them a little. I was partial to the video about installation art, mostly because I'm still having trouble grasping what exactly it is, and how I will make my own installation piece for this class. As I watched the video, I tried to take notes and was brainstorming the entire time, in hope that I'd come up with an understanding and idea for my assignment. Not yet...
The Glass and Ceramics video introduced me to the realization that glass is not a true solid, rather is is a viscus liquid that stiffens when cooled. Oyster shells can help glass from becoming too liquid at high temperatures! To make a glass form, someone gathers a small glob of liquid glass at the end of a solid tube/pole and blows into it so that it balloons up, and is formed and shaped. Glass is continually reheated in the furnace so it can be continually modeled, it also receives a final firing so that it can withstand future high temperatures. Some types of ceramics are known to be even stronger than steel and can withstand very high temperatures. Glass is becoming more prominent in architecture today.
Installation art defines and takes over space, and is achieved according to the effort of individual artists. They are three-dimensional works whose design forces viewers to interact with the environment. Site-specific art is art that cannot work unless it is in its particular place that was meant for it. Video imagery is becoming more popular in the art world with the help of new technologies. It now dominates the art world and the video camera is a tool that makes way for video installations. Installations are known to be successful by attaining a relationship between the images, space, and the viewer, which makes the meaning.
The videos relate to the text because they described in detail some of the crafts explained in the actual text itself. They discussed the nature of installations and gave different perspectives from different artists on what they thought installation art was, and what it meant to them. The text mentioned some crafts such as glass blowing, but the video visually explained it more deeply. It was interesting to see the hard work of craft-makers and artists as they practiced sculpting and glass-making. It was one thing to read it in the book, but to actually see it in action was so much more engaging. It was neat to hear the stories behind the artists and where materials like marble actually came from, and the hardships and sacrifices that went along with everything. Seeing it all take place on camera gave me more of an appreciation for the art, and gave me a better understanding of the science behind it all, the trials, and the successes. I gained more of an understanding just by seeing it all on video. After watching the video (on glass blowing) it made me want to try it myself. Besides the awful quality of the videos and the outdatedness, I'll have to admit I enjoyed them a little. I was partial to the video about installation art, mostly because I'm still having trouble grasping what exactly it is, and how I will make my own installation piece for this class. As I watched the video, I tried to take notes and was brainstorming the entire time, in hope that I'd come up with an understanding and idea for my assignment. Not yet...
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